Senate Gets Early Start on Health Care Votes

The Senate is at work unusually early and voting on health care as Democrats zero in on their goal of passing President Barack Obama's signature issue by Christmas.

Three votes were scheduled early Tuesday morning, starting with a procedural motion. The Senate then planned to vote on a nearly 400 page amendment to the health care bill, reflecting the deals Democrats made to shore up support within their ranks for the legislation.

The third vote, requiring 60 senators to pass, would shut off debate on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's version of the bill. That still leaves one more 60-vote hurdle before final passage, expected to come on Christmas Eve.

With partisan feelings running high, Reid appealed to senators to forgo personal attacks so they can go home for the holidays "in a peaceful nature."

The Senate is at work unusually early and voting on health care as Democrats zero in on their goal of passing President Barack Obama's signature issue by Christmas.Three votes were scheduled early Tuesday morning, starting with a procedural motion. The Senate then planned...